SPI joins The Recycling Partnership

A major name in plastics is joining a new effort to promote recycling.

The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. trade group is signing on with the new The Recycling Partnership program aimed at boosting recycling through targeted public-private efforts.

“SPI is deeply committed to zero waste strategies that promote reducing, reusing and recycling plastic materials,” SPI President and CEO William Carteaux said in a statement. “Because our members represent the entirety of the plastics supply chain, SPI has emerged as a valuable stakeholder in the recycling discussion with an important, unique perspective.”

The partnership has been working in recent months to sign up supporters of an approach that will use private grant money to help leverage public dollars to help increase recycling in targeted communities.

Backers, along with SPI, include Alcoa Foundation, American Chemistry Council, American Forest & Paper Association, the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, Ball Corporation, Carton Council and Coca-Cola Co.

Work by the partnership will include improving access to recycling carts, outreach and education. The program also will work with state and local officials to explain “the important connection between recycling, local jobs and manufacturing,” and help provide regional coordination of recycling efforts, the group said.